Kilotons (metric,explosive energy)
Abbreviation/Symbol:
- kt
Unit of:
- Energy and power
Worldwide use:
- Used to compare the destructive effect of nuclear weapons or other events such as asteroid impact
Definition:
A kiloton of TNT is the amount of energy released in the detonation of 1,000 metric tons of TNT. It equates to 4.184 terajoules
Common references:
- 1 kiloton is equivalent to 1,000 tons of TNT. The atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima exploded with an energy of about 15 kilotons
Usage context:
Commonly used militarily to compare explosive power
Component units:
- There are 1,000 Kilotons in a Megaton